So, if you already happen to be a fan of the author, then I think you’ll enjoy this- because ultimately, Lucy Foley is an incredibly clever writer who knows how to pen a page turner. That being said, this was not my favorite Foley. Putting aside the plot which was a bit of work to keep track of at times, it felt like a clumsy satire of the New Age industry and Pagansim. As both a Pagan and someone who works in this industry, I could appreciate the spirit behind what she was attempting to satirize, but felt it to be under researched and poorly observed on the whole. And given the extreme misrepresentation of Paganism in an increasingly fundamentalist Christian climate, perhaps somewhat irresponsible…but you know how bad pizza is still pizza? Well, a lackluster Foley is still better than most.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley WOWED me in every way.
I have enjoyed all of the authors 'novels and this was my most highly anticipated thriller of 2024, and it DID NOT DISSAPOINT!

I describe this story as a creepy, atmospheric, colorful story filled with local lore and BIRDS. You must not forget the Birds!

We see the opening of the Tome Manor, a new fancy (SUPER FANCY) It’s June 2025, nearly the Solstice and the opening night of Tome Manor is coming soon.

The Tome Manor is surrounded by local woods and the locals are not happy.

Francesca, the owner has little concern for those peons.

There are multiple timelines which work fantastic.

I absolutely LOVED the diary entries that were from a teenager's point of view.
This added so much to the story and the creepy vibe.

As the story unraveled, so did Francesca. I really enjoyed the multiple point of views and time periods.

This is the thriller of the YEAR! Absolutely devoured and enjoyed every single minute!

DNF at 55%. I really wanted to give this one a chance but I’m so tired of how many character POVs this author puts in her books. It is exhausting and the story was so so slow. I lost interest.

I want to start off by saying thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an Earc of The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley.

This book had its good and bad parts, I really enjoyed the theory of this plot but I found it quite disinteresting. Going back and forth between the characters in such short chapters did not keep me as enthralled as I thought I would be.

Now the birds of the story I did quite enjoy. I really enjoyed the pagan rituals mixed within the storyline, that’s what I wanted more of! I absolutely hated Francesca from the start, you almost wish you could just off her yourself lol.

The ending was the best part of this book, it did tie up everything together and was not expecting some of the reveals. But overall it was a good read just not at the top of my list this year.

REALLY enjoyed this thriller. The back and forth POV as well as entries told by the journal provide very different looks at the events that are or have occurred. Francesca makes me cackle that woman. And the local folklore was so interesting! Just enough to tease it all the way through and keep the mystery and I’m craving more.

The book was a very slow start, but the last hour of the book was fantastic. I've read her in the past and this one just wasn't for me, I'd still recommend this to family and friends

Lucy Foley comes through with this book. It brings past to present with intertwining characters through an old journal of friends, Gothic folklore, creepy blackbirds, deep woods, and local roots. A good mystery to try to unravel! I definitely recommend it if you like The Club, The Guest List or 9 perfect strangers.

Thank you @williammorrowbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this book!

Did someone say locked room? Ope! It’s my favorite kind of thriller! A fancy dinner party, high end decorations and the best of the best food and drink. Nothing is too much for this opening party at The Manor! It’s the place to be on this beautiful summer night. Except…there is an uneasy undercurrent happening at the party. People who have history with each other and not all ended with a happy friendship. By the end of the night, the police are called because someone finds a body! 👀 Secrets will be revealed as everything comes to a head at The Midnight Feast!

Foley does such a wonderful job painting the picture of an extraordinary setting for The Manor. I could envision the impeccable grounds and well groomed guests. I love how she created so much doubt between the characters making it hard to figure out who was responsible for the fire and ultimately the death! This story is chalked full of mystery, dysfunctional relationships, unguessable twists and dark secrets that bubble to the top at such an elegant party! Plus…have you seen the cover? It is perfect for this warm summertime vibe which I devoured in one sitting! I am forever grateful for the opportunity to read this book early! It publishes soon so make sure to add this one to your summer reading list!

I liked this. I didn't love this.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my advanced copy of The Midnight Feast.

What I Enjoyed:

✨ The Atmosphere
✨ The Mystery
✨ The Multiple POVs

Why This Book Lost Stars:

It took me forever to read. I was intrigued enough to finish the story but not invested. It wasn't a bad book and I still look forward to reading more by this author.
I usually listen to Lucy Foley's books on audio and next time I may stick with that format.

Overall, I was interested in this story and would give it a 3.5 rounded up to a 4. I finished it a few days ago though, and looking back, I wish there was more to the characters in the woods. I liked the point the author was making but it felt a little light on impact for me.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC!

Another twisty thriller from Lucy Foley that did not disappoint! Multiple POVs and timelines, a spooky element, and such a great setting!

I wasn't sure about this one when I first started with it but I'm glad I kept going with it. I wound up really liking the storyline and all the characters.

This book deals with may different POV's and different timeliness so if you're looking for a fast paced read this is not it. You have to really read slowly to keep up with the switching but it is definitely worth it.

The story is centered around the Manor, a peaceful resort for upscale clients and its owner Francesca Woodland. The Manor was designed by Francesca's younger architect husband Owen. They are preparing for the opening night hosting a grand summer solstice feast.

Filled with dark secrets both past and present, the reader must put together the pieces to solve the mystery.

This wound up being one of my top Lucy Foley books.

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the advanced copy of this book.

Lucy Foley's The Midnight Feast invites readers into the opulent yet sinister world of The Manor, a luxurious new retreat where indulgence and danger go hand in hand. It's the opening weekend, and no expense, small or large, has been spared.

Foley excels in setting a vivid scene. The lavish details of The Manor, from its infinity pool to the bespoke cocktails, are described with a sumptuousness that immerses the reader in this exclusive world. The contrast between the luxurious setting and the underlying tension is palpable, creating a foreboding atmosphere from the outset. The ancient forest surrounding the estate, with its bristling secrets, adds a layer of mystery and unease that keeps the reader guessing.

However, while the setting is richly drawn, the plot unfolds at a more leisurely pace than some readers might prefer. The buildup to the central mystery—culminating in a fire and the discovery of a body on Sunday morning—takes its time, with much of the narrative devoted to the intricate web of relationships among the guests. This deep dive into the characters' backstories provides valuable context but can also feel drawn out, delaying the arrival of the story's most thrilling elements.

One of the book's significant drawbacks is the lack of character development. Despite the detailed backstories, many characters remain one-dimensional, making it difficult for readers to connect with them on a deeper level. Their actions often seem driven by plot requirements rather than genuine, evolving motivations, which diminishes the story's emotional impact.

Additionally, the novel's structure—switching perspectives and timelines—can be confusing. While Foley attempts to create a complex, layered narrative, the frequent shifts can disrupt the flow and make it challenging to keep track of events and character motivations. This non-linear approach, rather than adding to the suspense, sometimes leads to frustration as readers struggle to piece together the timeline and understand the characters' arcs fully.

The central mystery, once it fully emerges, is gripping, with enough twists and turns to keep readers invested. Foley deftly unravels the connections between the guests, revealing how past events have led to the present catastrophe. Yet, the resolution, while satisfying on one level, feels somewhat conventional, lacking the explosive impact that the buildup promised.

In conclusion, The Midnight Feast is a solid read, offering a luxurious setting, an air of mystery, and a tangled web of relationships that will appeal to fans of Foley's previous work. However, its slow pacing, lack of character development, and confusing switching of perspectives and timelines prevent it from reaching the heights of her best novels. It's an enjoyable but not extraordinary addition to the genre, earning a respectable three stars.

This was just an okay read for me. Nothing to really rave about. This is my second book by this particular author and although her books are buzzy and popular, I don't know if her books are the right fit for me.

The story is told through multiple POVs which helped, because I did not care for Francesca's POV, which I know was intentional, but I found myself wanting to skim over her chapters, because she was so insufferable. I just didn't get that edge of your seat tension I look for in a thriller with this one.

If you've liked her previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. However, I found it forgettable and oftentimes boring.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

In "The Midnight Feast," Foley attempts to captivate readers with a murder mystery set in The Manor, a resort with a questionable and troubled history. However, the storyline felt forced, It also was felt hard to follow with short chapters and back and forth between timelines too fast. While Foley's writing is compelling and attempts to bring these characters to life, they ultimately are left wanting more depth.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I’m a fan of Lucy Foley and used to the multi-points of view and occasional time jumps so I was immediately hooked with this new novel that was back to the atmospheric The Hunting Party vibes.

I quickly devoured this book and while I expected twist after twist, I still found myself surprised with how the stories all weaved together.

I did a happy dance when I got approved to read an Advanced Copy of Midnight Feast. I love Lucy Foley's book. Guest List is my go-to gift for all my Secret Santa Book Friends. This will be the new book I give everyone. Lucy Foley hit a new level with Midnight Feast.

Of course, it's told from many different views (in pure Lucy Foley fashion), all weaving together in a suspenseful conclusion. Chef Kiss to this ending.

Midnight Feast is set in 2025. The first POV is Bella, at the Opening night of a beautiful luxury resort/spa. The Resort is the life dream of Francesca, an old “friend” of Bellas. Francesca and her Husband Owen are hosting this Special Event. An event that will culminate on The Solstice. If they make it there.

The Town Doesn't like the Resort or the Outsiders it is bringing with it. Some Locals have a few ideas of how to disrupt the festivities. Others may ask “The Birds” for help.

The Story is told from Bella, Francesca, Owen, Eddie, and Detective Inspector Walker's POV.

I'm so grateful to Netgalley, Lucy Foley, and William Morrow for allowing me to read this early.

The beginning of this book started off very slow and I found myself getting “bored”. However about 100 pages in this book picked up so quickly.

You follow the multiple POV’s of 5 main characters. You get to see their POV on opening night, before the solstice, during the solstice, as well as after. One of my favorite things about Lucy Foleys writing style is that all of the characters will be interconnected in some way, it just takes time to understand how.

You also get the summer journals that come into play, once I started reading these entries I could start putting all the pieces together. I couldn’t put the book down at this point. The amount of plot twists this book had just really made me want more.

This is hands down my favorite book by Lucy and I will continue to rave about it for the days to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced readers copy of this page turning thriller.

Thanks @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley for the gifted copy!

I always enjoy Foley’s books and this was another fun mystery! It’s a slow burn for sure, it really doesn’t pick up until the very end when things go warp speed. Her books are often like that, so I expected it going in which I think helped me not mind the slow start. I would have liked to see the past storyline, told through journal entries, to be trimmed back a bit - it felt overly drawn out to me. I also could have done with less Francesca - her POV was repetitive buzzword bingo and not my fav to read. I loved the setting and feel like it was the perfect match to the story, with enough description to envision it without being too much.

There were a few things I predicted but many surprise reveals as well. I can’t say much more without revealing too much, so I’ll just say that I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved how it was told from multiple perspectives and not in chronological order. I was definitely shocked and once I started this book, I felt like I couldn't put it down.